Background The Marangone Valley is located along the western edge of the Natura 2000 site “Tolfetano-Cerite- Manziate" and between the external limits of Civitavecchia (Lazio region) and the tourist settlements of Santa Marinella. The area is endangered by habitat degradation, which typically affects peri-urban areas. Additional degradation is caused by the incompatibility of the management of agro-forestry-pastoral resources with the protection of habitats and species of Community interest. Objectives The objective of the VAL.MA.CO. project is to preserve the avifauna of Community interest in the northwest area of the Natura 2000 site Comprensorio Tolfetano-Cerite-Manzianate”. This project aims to improve the habitats of a total of 12 bird species included in Annex I of the Birds Directive (Pernis apivorus, Milvus milvus, Circaetus gallicus, Burhinus oedicneumus, Caprimulgus europaeus, Alcedo atthis, Melanocorypha calandra, Calandrella brachydactila, Lullula arborea, Anthus campestris, Lanius collurio and Lanius minor) and a priority for conservation “Pseudo-steppe with grasses and annuals” habitat. The actions targeting this habitat will increase the availability of food resources for birds of prey. The project is planned to be implemented in a 269 ha area owned by the beneficiary inside the Natura 2000 site, which covers a total area of some 70 000 ha. The protection of bird species of Community interest in the area will be achieved by combining restoration and environmental protection with the promotion of traditional and sustainable forms of agriculture (i.e. grazing). Expected results: The project expects to achieve the following results: Recovery of 17 ha of degraded pasture areas to promote the availability of trophic resources for birds; Construction of 9 km of fences to control and regulate grazing activity; Reconstruction and reclamation of 1km of dry stone walls to control grazing and habitat biodiversity; Creation of small wetlands near the existing springs for kingfisher (Alcedo atthis) and other waterfowl; Recovery of 800 plants of olive trees, now invaded by shrubs and herbaceous vegetation; A memorandum on sustainable management to be adopted by some 2 000 stakeholders in order to regulate the concessions and use of the area; and Restoration of 4.5 km. of rural roads and 2.2 km of service paths in order to: i) control the area, ii) prevent accidental fires and iii) promote the proper management of the productive activities in the area.